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(No Model.) y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. WOODS.

RAILWAY BRAKE.

Patents Feb.27,1883.

TN'VBNTO Ii N. PETERS. Pholu-Liholnpbfl. Wnhington. D.c.

(NoModeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. WOODS.

RAILWAY BRAKE. No. 273,214. Patented Feb.27, 1883.

N. PErEns. Phonwullwgnmr. wamin tan. D. a

.NITED STATES P TENT OFFICE.-

JOHN WOODS, OF MELBOURNE, VICTORIA.

RAl LWAY-BRAKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 273,214, dated February 27, 1883.

Application filed October 21, 1882. (No model.) Patented in Victoria December 7, 1881, No. 3,131.

' tain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Brakes, (for which I haveobtained a patent in the said British Colony of Victoria, No. 3,131, hearing date the 7th day of December, 1881,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of certain improvements in railway-brakes, which improvements are applicable to all kinds of railway rolling stock, excepting locomotives, but have been specially designed for railway-trucks.

By my present invention 1 utilize the brakes now commonly in use on railway-trucks, in which, as is well known, the brake-blocks are forced on the wheels by means of a weighted lever, and released therefrom by such lever being lifted and supported in a suitable catch. Now, Iallow the brake-blocks and their weighted levers to remain as before; but I dispense with the catches and substitute fluid-pressure for the hand-power in lifting off the brakes. Thus I convey fluid, andpreferably hydraulic pressure, to a plunger or piston, which is connected to said weighted levers, so that when necessary they may be lifted and when necessary allowed to fall. This fluid-pressure I convey to the brake-levers on each truck from a main line of piping coupled together between each truck, and when such pressure is hydraulic, receiving it through an accumulator on the engine in precisely the same way as is described and represented in the specification and drawings of my invention, entitled improvements in railway-brakes, for which I have already obtained United States Letters Patent No. 227,400, and dated the 11th day of May, 1880.

I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my method of applying hydraulic pressure for workingthe brakes, because I helieve that pressure to be the best, although any other fluid-pressuresuch as airmay be used, if preferred. In these drawings Ishow the base'frame or sole-plate of a railway-truck with the wheels and brakes attached thereto.

Figure 1 represents the bed frame-work of a car,its wheels, &c., provided with my improvement; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. 'Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partly in section; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cylinder, its piston, and a portion of the weighted lever, the forward end of said lever being broken away. 'In this view one end of the branch pipe is shown in connection with the cylinder.

A A are the brake-blocks, and A their weighted lever, E being the weight.

B is a pressure-cylinder, and 0 its plunger or piston.

D is a main pressurepipe, secured to the under side of the car and running the length thereof. Any suitable means may be employed for connecting the end of the pipe to the pipes on an adjoining car, or to the pipe on the locomotive, communicating with the accumulator previously referred to.

D is a branch pipe, connecting the pipe I) to the cylinder B.

B are hangers supporting the cylinder, and 7 B and B are stays thereto.

A represents an arm pivoted at A to the lever A.

A is a brake-rod provided with a perforated end, A, whereby the arm A may be adjusted 8o therewith so as to conform with the wear on the brake-blocks.

A is the pivoted end of rod A where it engages one of the block-plates A Said blockplates are secured to the blocks A, and are piv- 8 oted at their upper ends to the frame, and by means of which the block is hung and supported.

A is a rod pivoted at each end to the brakeblocks. 4 9o Plunger G has a groove or slot, G, in which to hold the weighted lever. The lever A is shown by dotted lines at A in its lowest possible position-namely, with the brake on the wheels when the blocks are nearly worn out. 5

When the brakes are required to be taken oh, I force pressure (as described in the specification of my previously-patented invention hereinbefore referred to) through pipe D into pipe D and cylinder B. This pressure raises plunger G, whose groove C lifts weighted lever A, and thus takes the brake-blocks A of the wheels. When the brakes are required to I same manner or side with respect to the wheels,

be puton, Isimply release the pressure in the pipe D, when the weight on lever A forces the blocks A onto the wheels in the ordinary Way. 7

Should a locomotive and train of. cars equipped with my improvement, as specified, become disengaged by accident, the pressure would be released from pipes D D and cylinder B, which action would permit the weight E to descend, thereby forcing down the lever A, and causing the blocks A to be thrown in contact with the wheels, thereby automatically applying the brakes.

I am aware that it not new to force brakebloeks againstWcar-wheels by means of a, weighted lever. 1 therefore do not claim such mechanism, broadly; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The brake-blocks A,both arranged in the the hanger-plates A, rod A pivoted ,to one of the hangers A, and provided with an ad justable end with respect to arm A, the lever A, provided with weight E, in combination with the cylinder B and piston O, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. The blocks A, hanger-plates A, rod A adjustable rod A let er A, provided with weight E and arm A cylinder-hanger B, cylinder B, and piston 0, all united as specified, in combination with the supply-pipes D and branch pipes D, adapted to receive and communicate power to the cylinder, whereby the piston and lever are operated in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

JOHN WOODS Witnesses:

W. S. BAYSTON, H. (J. HART. 

